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Residents over the age of majority in the great nation of Australia are now permitted to legally purchase Left 4 Dead 2 in its unedited state on PC. Kotaku Australia confirmed with developer Valve that the new rating had been implemented.

"We are making plans to deliver that version to those who have already purchased the game. We will announce more details on that soon," Valve's Doug Lombardi told Kotaku.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabannedL4D2Left-4-Dead-2oflcpcr18valveTue, 02 Sep 2014 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/02/modified-saints-row-4-given-australian-ma15-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/02/modified-saints-row-4-given-australian-ma15-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/08/02/modified-saints-row-4-given-australian-ma15-rating/#commentsSaints Row 4 was finally deemed acceptable to be sold in Australia today, having previously been denied classification twice by the territory's ratings board. The listing isn't currently on the Australian Classification Board's site, but publisher Deep Silver provided us with a statement confirming a reworked version of the game earned, in a curious twist, the MA15+ rating rather than the adult-only R18+ rating it failed to achieve previously.

Deep Silver said developer Volition removed one 20-minute mission in the reworked version, and noted the 'Rectifier' anal probe weapon, which the ACB also raised concern over, will be available in a DLC pack "as originally intended." Deep Silver's statement reads:

Deep Silver and [local distributor] AIE are pleased to report that the Australian Classification Board has now approved Saints Row IV for sale. They have granted the game a MA15+ rating. To achieve this rating one loyalty mission featuring the character Shaundi has been removed. This mission has been widely reported on and contains the use of alien narcotics to obtain certain superpowers. This mission represents approximately 20 minutes of gameplay out of the hours available to purchasers. The removal of this mission has no negative impact on the story or the superpowers and will not detract from the enjoyment players will get from their Saints Row IV experience. The rectifier weapon will be available as part of a DLC package as originally intended. Deep Silver respects this decision and thanks the Australian Classification Board for their assistance with this matter.

Today's news means the saga is finally at an end, and the game can and will be sold in the Australian territory; Deep Silver confirmed to Joystiq the Australian release date remains August 22. Elsewhere, The Xbox 360, PS3, and PC game comes to North America on August 20, and Europe on August 23.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian-classification-boarddeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3r18r18+release-datesaints-row-4VolitionxboxFri, 02 Aug 2013 05:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/29/saints-row-4-denied-classification-in-australia-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/29/saints-row-4-denied-classification-in-australia-again/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/29/saints-row-4-denied-classification-in-australia-again/#comments
The Australian Classification Board reaffirmed the ban on Saints Row 4, a three-person panel unanimously refusing the game classification in its re-review of the original decision. Drugs were again the cause of consternation for the ACB, who said Volition's over-the-top sandbox game couldn't attain the recently introduced R18+ rating and as such be sold in the country because "drug use related to incentives and rewards is not permitted."

Saints Row 4 is expected to launch in Australia on August 23, the Steam page listing a "Low Violence" version; publisher Deep Silver told us in June it had plans to submit a reworked version of the game for the territory. The decision passed today, the ACB clarified, is on the "unedited" version of the game. We've reached out to Deep Silver for comment.

On January 1, Australia passed the much-lobbied-for law permitting games for audiences over the age of 15 to be bought in the country, these games carrying a R18+ rating. Many games have since earned the rating, including Ninja Gaiden 3 and Dead Island: Riptide, but in JuneSaints Row 4 became the first game to be refused classification since the law's introduction. It was soon followed by XBLA hit State of Decay, although unlike Saints Row 4 that game has since been rated R18+.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian-classification-boardbanneddeep-silvermicrosoftozpcplaystationps3r18r18+saints-row-4VolitionxboxMon, 29 Jul 2013 04:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/22/saints-row-4-up-for-austrailian-classification-re-review-next-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/22/saints-row-4-up-for-austrailian-classification-re-review-next-we/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/22/saints-row-4-up-for-austrailian-classification-re-review-next-we/#commentsSaints Row 4's down under scrutiny will occur again next week, as the over-the-top sandbox crime game attempts a second run by the Australian Classification Board. The ACB banned the game last month, raising issues over its depiction of drug use and an "alien anal probe."

Publisher Deep Silver previously said it was planning to re-submit a re-worked version of the game - apparently a "low violence" one going by Steam Australia. That re-review is now confirmed and dated for this time next week on July 29, and hopefully it's a decision that leaves both parties satisfied.

Saints Row 4 was the first to be banned in the country after the government passed the law permitting R18+ games for adult audiences. The second game, banned a day after Saints Row 4, was State of Decay. Thankfully, Undead Labs' own reworked version came through its re-review earlier this month, and the developer expects to bring the XBLA game Australia's way on Friday, July 26.

"We've run afoul of certain prohibitions regarding the depiction of drug use," writes Undead Labs' founder Jeff Strain on the game's forum. "We're working with [publisher] Microsoft to come up with options, including changing names of certain medications in the game to comply with ratings requirements. Whatever our path forward, it's going to take a bit."

Coincidentally, the apocalyptic world of Fallout 3 ran into the same drug-naming issue with the Australians back in 2008. After some editing, the game was suitable for distribution.

"Microsoft is currently evaluating the options with regards to the title's classification," a spokesperson for the publisher told Joystiq. "The Australian Classification system plays an important role in ensuring that Australians can only access age-appropriate games and content."

Strain acknowledged as much in his post, saying, "I know this is frustrating - believe me, we're frustrated too - but each country has the right to set its own rules about content, and it's our responsibility to comply with them. Rest assured we'll do everything we can to find a way to get the game into your hands."

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabannedclass3microsoftr18saints-row-4state-of-decayxboxWed, 26 Jun 2013 15:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/25/saints-row-4-refused-classification-in-australia-volition-rewo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/25/saints-row-4-refused-classification-in-australia-volition-rewo/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/06/25/saints-row-4-refused-classification-in-australia-volition-rewo/#comments
The Australian Classification Board made Saints Row 4 the first game to be refused classification in the country since the introduction of the R18+ rating at the start of the year. In a statement released this morning, the ACB said it classified the game "RC (Refused Classification)" in accordance with the new guidelines. Publisher Deep Silver told us developer Volition is reworking the game's content for the territory.

"In the Board's opinion, Saints Row IV, includes interactive, visual depictions of implied sexual violence which are not justified by context," reads the ACB's statement. "In addition, the game includes elements of illicit or proscribed drug use related to incentives or rewards. Such depictions are prohibited by the computer games guidelines."

Following the news, Deep Silver provided Joystiq with the following statement.

"Deep Silver can confirm that Saints Row IV was denied an age classification in Australia. Volition, the developer, are reworking some of the code to create a version of the game for this territory by removing the content which could cause offence without reducing the outlandish gameplay that Saints Row fans know and love. Saints Row IV has been awarded PEGI 18 and ESRB M ratings where fans can enjoy their time in Steelport as originally intended."

After many years of pressure due to a number of high-profile games being banned, the Australian government finally passed the law last year allowing games intended for those over the age of 15 to be bought in the country, and that law came into effect this year on January 1. In today's statement, the ACB noted it's classified 17 games under the R18+ rating so far, including Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, and Dead Island: Riptide.

Saints Row 4 is set to arrive in North America on August 20, and Europe on August 23.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabanneddeep-silvermicrosoftpcplaystationps3r18r18+saints-row-4VolitionxboxTue, 25 Jun 2013 05:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/valve-exploring-left-4-dead-2-with-r18-rating-for-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/valve-exploring-left-4-dead-2-with-r18-rating-for-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/17/valve-exploring-left-4-dead-2-with-r18-rating-for-australia/#commentsValve is looking into its options for bringing the unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 to Australia. Gamespot took note of a post on the Steam forums where Valve's Chet Faliszek stated the company is exploring the brave new world of R18+ ratings for video games in the region.

"No need to flood us with emails," wrote Faliszek. "We will have more information on this when we understand the issues fully and how we are moving forward but don't worry any cost associated with it doesn't worry us, this is something we want to do."

Left 4 Dead 2 was denied classification twice in its unedited form for Australia. The game was eventually classified in the region without zombie decapitation and limb dismemberment - a skillset that Australians would have learned is also helpful in dealing with necromorphs.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaL4D2Left-4-Dead-2pcr18r18+valveThu, 17 Jan 2013 20:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-seeking-australian-classificatio/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-seeking-australian-classificatio/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/15/mortal-kombat-komplete-edition-seeking-australian-classificatio/#commentsWarner Bros. will submit Mortal Kombat Komplete Edition for classification in Australia. GameSpot reports the fighter will seek a rating under the country's new R18+ classification for games. Mortal Kombat was refused classification in the region when it launched two years ago and also lost a subsequent appeal.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiamicrosoftmortal-kombatmortal-kombat-2011Mortal-Kombat-Komplete-Editionplaystationps3r18r18+wbiexboxTue, 15 Jan 2013 11:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/ninja-gaiden-3-razors-edge-first-r18-game-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/ninja-gaiden-3-razors-edge-first-r18-game-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/10/ninja-gaiden-3-razors-edge-first-r18-game-in-australia/#commentsNinja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, Team Ninja's second and sharper stab at last year's Ryu Hayabusa outing, is to be Australia's first game classified as R18+.

Australia's harsh video game restrictions have been criticized for years. The country passed a bill in June allowing the sale of video games targeted at players 15 years of age and older. As of January 1, 2013, these new laws allow for the sale of games like Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, making it the first adult video game to launch in Australia.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ninja-gaiden-3-razors-edgenintendor18r18+team-ninjatecmo-koeiwii-uThu, 10 Jan 2013 21:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/australias-r18-guidelines-published-industry-concerned/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/australias-r18-guidelines-published-industry-concerned/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/13/australias-r18-guidelines-published-industry-concerned/#commentsThe Australian government today published its new guidelines for the classification of computer games, but those guidelines were met with concern by the country's games industry. The R18+ classification for video games comes into effect on January 1 2013, but Australia's Interactive Games & Entertainment Association responded to today's guidelines with only a "reserved and qualified welcome."

The IGEA's concern centers on a couple of the guidelines' assertions. Firstly, the guidelines state that similarly themed content is more impactful in video games than in film, and potentially more harmful. Secondly, the guidelines attribute this greater impact to the medium's interactive nature. In short, the new classification will hold games to a higher standard than film, and may see some games that were banned without the R18 classification stay banned despite its effectuation.

Shortly after the guidelines were announced, the IGEA released a statement. While that statement does express a welcome to the guidelines, the language is laced with skepticism and disappointment:

"Given the opposition to the introduction of an R18+ category from a vocal yet unrepresentative section of the community, along with a largely conservative group of Attorneys-General, it is no surprise the new guidelines hold video games to a higher standard across a number of categories compared to film and what originally existed for video games.

"As we have previously stated, we are concerned with the acknowledgment in the guidelines that interactivity has greater impact on players, despite the Federal Attorney-General's office publishing a literature review in September 2010 that found no evidence to support these claims. There will be continued debate about whether the interactivity of video games has a greater impact than other forms of media, and we will continue to refer to the lack of the evidence to support these claims."

There are four months to go until the R18+ classification comes to Australian video games, and this isn't the last we'll hear about it before then. You can find the government's guidelines here, and read the IGEA's response to them here.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabansgovernmentr18r18+Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/one-territory-can-now-purchase-r18-games-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/one-territory-can-now-purchase-r18-games-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/24/one-territory-can-now-purchase-r18-games-in-australia/#commentsThe Australian Capital Territory this morning became the first state or territory to pass the R18+ law in Australia. In June, after a decade of political strife, all Australian states and territories agreed to a bill ending the country's much criticized ban on adult games. ACT is now the first to make it law for adults to have access to games rated 18+.

ACT is the smallest of Australia's self-governing internal territories, home to only 1.6% of the country's total population. Australian gamers should now hope the news results in a domino effect across the country. Despite the bill being passed by federal government, each state and territory must pass the law under its own jurisdiction.

After years of back and forth political posturing and bickering, Australians will finally have the ability to legally purchase games intended for those over 15 years of age. Australia's R18+ video game classification, equivalent to the ESRB's "M" rating in the States and PEGI 18 in Europe, has passed the federal parliament.

"These are important reforms over 10 years in the making," Home Affairs Minister Jason Clare said, as reported by News.com.au. "The R18+ category will inform consumers, parents and retailers about which games are not suitable for minors to play and will prevent minors from purchasing unsuitable material."

The classification law now puts games on equal footing as movies and other media forms.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiamicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3r18wii-uxboxMon, 18 Jun 2012 11:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/australian-government-finally-introduces-r18-bill-to-go-into-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/australian-government-finally-introduces-r18-bill-to-go-into-e/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/16/australian-government-finally-introduces-r18-bill-to-go-into-e/#commentsAustralia's game rating woes are almost over. After years of debate and legal discussion about an R18+ rating for video games there (that would allow for the equivalent of the ESRB's M-rated games to be released without, you know, being illegal), the government has finally agreed to the new rating, aiming to enact it as early as next year. A bill setting up the extra rating was introduced to the Federal Parliament this week, and is expected to pass easily through the House and Senate.

The bill would go into effect sooner, but the Federal Minister for Home Affairs says the government needs time to finish all of the paperwork on the new regulation, and to allow each state and territory to draft its own laws enforcing the rating. The bill wouldn't mandate a nationwide rating, but simply allow each territory to create its own.

But that shouldn't be an issue, according to those in the know. Apparently, there's plenty of public support already. There were almost 60,000 submissions from the public responding to a discussion paper from 2010, and 98% of those were strongly in support of games rated R18+. As soon as the laws go into effect, retailers will be free to sell games as needed to anyone old enough to buy them.

A bill to allow an R18+ rating for games in Australia will be introduced to the parliament in February, Gamespot AU reports. Federal Minister for Home Affairs Jason Clare plans to introduce the bill during the first session in parliament this year, expected to commence February 7.

Once introduced, the bill has to make its way through both houses, which have shown support for the bill. Even after all that, depending on the speed of the Classification Board, the R18+ rating could take some time to be in use. The point of the R18+ rating is to create an equivalent to the United States' ESRB "M" and Europe's "PEGI 18," allowing games deemed unsuitable for those under 15 years-of-age to be sold in the country. The current classifications regularly result in the outright banning of games in Australia, or massively toned down versions being produced for the continent.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian-classification-boardpoliticsR18ratingsTue, 24 Jan 2012 16:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/australian-classification-branch-r18-not-ready-for-another-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/australian-classification-branch-r18-not-ready-for-another-co/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/28/australian-classification-branch-r18-not-ready-for-another-co/#comments
Though Australian minister for home affairs Brendan O'Connor told press that the R18+ games rating would be available for new titles "a couple of months" after its ratification by the nation's federal government, we might have to wait just a bit longer than that. According to Australian Classification Branch Manager of Applications David Emery, "it'll probably be another couple of years before we'll be able to accept an application for an R18 game."

"It's got to go to Parliament, then there's changes that have to be made subsequent to that," Emery explained -- changes that also need to be applied to the classification systems of each state and territory, as well. Try not to get too discouraged, Australian gamers: At least your children will be able to buy Resident Evil 11. Oh, wait, they'll need to be adults, first. Okay, Resident Evil 19.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiamicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3r18ratingswiixboxFri, 28 Oct 2011 12:55:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/australia-finally-getting-its-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/australia-finally-getting-its-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/08/10/australia-finally-getting-its-r18-rating/#comments
Australia is finally getting an R18+ classification for video games, meaning that games deemed unacceptable for minors under 15 can be sold in the country. Minister for Justice Brendan O'Connor announced today that the New South Wales Attorney-General, who was the only censorship minister to abstain from last month's vote, has given his "in-principle support" for the new rating.

"I am delighted that NSW has decided to support what is not just a practical public policy, but a very popular policy," said O'Connor. "Once introduced, the new classification will also afford adults the opportunity to view material designed for adults."

Draft guidelines presented at the prior meeting have since been amended, requiring approvals from some jurisdiction's cabinets. The government is moving forward to introduce the new classification, which it had previously hoped to have available by year's end.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australialawmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3r18wiixboxWed, 10 Aug 2011 10:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/australia-to-introduce-r18-rating-in-next-few-months-if-all-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/australia-to-introduce-r18-rating-in-next-few-months-if-all-go/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/australia-to-introduce-r18-rating-in-next-few-months-if-all-go/#comments
Australia may finally have an R18+ classification for video games by year's end - if some last-minute politics don't derail proceedings. Gamespot reports that the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General have agreed to an adult rating, equivalent to the ESRB's "M" in the United States and "PEGI 18" of Europe, which would allow games deemed unsuitable for those 15 and younger to be sold in the region.

The snag in the current proceedings is that New South Wales Attorney-General Greg Smith abstained from the vote (the other eight territories agreed to move forward with an R18+ classification), delaying the process. Changing the National Classification Code requires the unanimous agreement of the nine censorship ministers. Smith said he would have a decision soon.

If all the Attorneys-General end up agreeing, Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor can begin drafting the legislation necessary for an R18+ rating for games. We hope it works out, because the new Mortal Kombat (effectively banned in Australia) is pretty awesome.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Australiadsmicrosoftnintendoplaystationpoliticsps3pspR18sonywiixboxFri, 22 Jul 2011 11:12:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/game-developers-bullish-about-australian-tax-break-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/game-developers-bullish-about-australian-tax-break-bill/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/07/game-developers-bullish-about-australian-tax-break-bill/#comments
Game Developers Association of Australia CEO Tony Reed is, as you might imagine, a big fan of the $1.9 billion tax break for video game research and development that's making its way through the nation's government. Speaking to Gamespot, Reed explained, "No matter how big or small a studio is, this is the kind of thing that will encourage development. It is designed with our own independence, creativity, and innovation in mind."

He added that his organization harbors a lofty goal: To "prepare Australia to become one of the top three territories in the world for game development within the next five years." The country has a ways to go before they can recover from the games industry's 50 percent reduction in workforce, but five years is an awfully long time in the tech world. And, it should go without saying, almost-two billion dollars is a lot of dollars.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiagdaagovernmentpoliticsr18tax-breaktaxesThu, 07 Jul 2011 01:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/australia-passes-1-9-billion-tax-break-for-games-industry-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/australia-passes-1-9-billion-tax-break-for-games-industry-randd/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/17/australia-passes-1-9-billion-tax-break-for-games-industry-randd/#comments
The Australian video game industry has suffered blow after blow over the past few years, having lost approximately half of its workforce and a number of its major development studios since 2008. Fortunately, Australian state officials have passed a bill which, when it goes into effect next month, will provide a $1.9 billion tax break for game developers to spend on research and development.

It's wonderful that the country's leaders are doing something to help revive Australia's floundering game development scene -- though we're a bit surprised that certain government representatives didn't try to attach an amendment to the bill, saying that the money could only be used to develop games about hugging and manners. (Snark aside, that game actually sounds awesome. Please make that game.)

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiapoliticsr18tax-breakFri, 17 Jun 2011 21:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/australian-gov-releases-r18-guideline-proposal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/australian-gov-releases-r18-guideline-proposal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/25/australian-gov-releases-r18-guideline-proposal/#comments
Australia's federal government has released a proposed draft of new guidelines to reform its video game classification system and introduce an R18+ rating. Meaning, the country'suncomfortably long struggle to introduce an adult-friendly classification for games may finally reach a conclusion.

The R18+ rating would allow "virtually no restrictions on the treatment of themes," allow violence to a more liberal degree than the current MA 15+ cap and give the option for sexual activity to be "realistically simulated," according to the draft.

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor says the new rules would "bring Australia into line with comparable nations." The federal government and the attorneys-general (including those opposed to the new rating and the ones who feel the government isn't going far enough) will meet in July, when they are expected to reach a consensus to introduce the R18+ classification.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaclassificationmicrosoftnintendooflcpcplaystationps3r18ratingswiixboxWed, 25 May 2011 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/south-australian-ag-will-support-r18-if-ma-15-is-scrapped/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/south-australian-ag-will-support-r18-if-ma-15-is-scrapped/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/28/south-australian-ag-will-support-r18-if-ma-15-is-scrapped/#comments
South Australian Attorney-General John Rau will support the introduction of the long-awaited R18+ classification for games in the region, if the country gets rid of MA15+. Rau's version of video games would change the system to G, PG, M (PG-13) and R18+.

"At the moment, the MA15+ classification is like a crossover point between what is acceptable and what is unacceptable," Rau said, reports ABC News. "We want that to be a very clear gap. We will have a new classification R18+ and the MA15+ will disappear."

Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor, who has all but demanded that the various, resistant attorneys-general meet and come to a consensus on an R18+ rating for video game at a meeting in July.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiama15mortal-kombat-2011politicsR18Thu, 28 Apr 2011 09:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/australian-ag-clark-hesitant-to-pass-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/australian-ag-clark-hesitant-to-pass-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/04/05/australian-ag-clark-hesitant-to-pass-r18-rating/#comments
According to a report from The Age, the long-debated Australian R18+ games rating may be shot down again during a July meeting of the nation's Attorneys-General, despite receiving the full support of the federal government. Victoria AG Robert Clark has expressed concern over the proposed ratings adoption, saying he's worried the new classification "would legalize games with high levels of graphic, frequent and gratuitous violence, including violence against civilians and police."

Clark shares the concerns of Australian Christian Lobby director Rob Ward, who said the Classification Board was "asleep at the wheel" when it granted titles like Grand Theft Auto 4 and House of the Dead: Overkill MA15+ ratings, allowing them to be released in the territory. Ward added, "that's not a reason to create an R18+ category. That's a reason to clip them behind the ear." Whoa, there, fella. Now who's being violent?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acbAustraliabanoflcpoliticsr18ratingsrobert-clarkvictoriaTue, 05 Apr 2011 04:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/australian-federal-govt-presses-for-consensus-on-r18-game-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/australian-federal-govt-presses-for-consensus-on-r18-game-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/australian-federal-govt-presses-for-consensus-on-r18-game-rating/#comments
"We're becoming the laughing stock of the developed world," declared Australia's Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor to ABC News, "where we're the only country that doesn't have R18 classification level for video games." Following the Australian Classification Board's final refusal to grant Mortal Kombat a rating in an appeal decision on Monday (finding the game unsuited for MA15+, the country's most mature rating for games), O'Connor all but demanded that the states and territories reach a consensus to introduce an R18+ rating into the system when the attorneys-general meet in July.

"I foreshadow that if there is not a consensus around this issue, the Commonwealth will certainly be considering other options," O'Connor vowed, "because we cannot continue to have an outdated classification system that's actually, in my view, causing harm to young people."

When pressed for what the federal government's "other options" might be, O'Connor refused to clarify, saying only that he's "seeking advice" and would not "outline all of those things" at this time. "But can I say my preference," he reiterated in the full transcript obtained by Kotaku Australia, "my very strong preference, is to have consent around the table in July."

"We're coming up to ten years of inaction," O'Connor observed, noting that the issue has been on the attorneys-general agenda since 2002. "I'm going into the [July] meeting with an optimistic air."

To those opposed to an R18+ rating, O'Connor offers: "Just because sometimes people speed on the roads, doesn't mean we shouldn't have the right speed for each particular road." He acknowledges that laws can be broken -- that children could access R18+ games -- but argues that a revised classification system is necessary to provide better guidance to parents (who should be the ones supervising their children's media usage -- sound familiar?); and to solve Australia's current issue of adult games being shoehorned into the MA15+ category.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabrendan-oconnorclassificationgovernmentr18ratingsFri, 18 Mar 2011 00:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/mortal-kombat-publisher-appealing-aussie-refused-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/mortal-kombat-publisher-appealing-aussie-refused-classification/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/02/mortal-kombat-publisher-appealing-aussie-refused-classification/#comments
Warner Bros. Interactive's Australian arm will appeal the RC (Refused Classification) "unrating" bestowed upon Mortal Kombat by the Australian Classification Review Board. The designation prevents the game from being sold by retailers in the country.

"After reviewing both the gameplay and the Board's original decision, WBIE Australia believe the violence in the game is on par with numerous other titles readily available for sale in the Australian market," reads the publisher's statement, obtained by IGN AU. "As such, the company wants to exhaust all options to make the game available to Mortal Kombat fans in this country. An identical version of the game will be submitted for appeal."

Two years ago, Valve resubmitted an unedited version of Left 4 Dead 2 to the Aussie classification board in an appeal to an earlier RC ruling and ... lost.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealAustraliamicrosoftMortal-Kombatmortal-kombat-2011oflcplaystationps3r18ratingsWBIExboxWed, 02 Mar 2011 11:40:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/mortal-kombat-refused-classification-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/mortal-kombat-refused-classification-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/25/mortal-kombat-refused-classification-in-australia/#commentsMortal Kombat has been refused classification in Australia, IGN AU reports. According to the site's sources, retail outlets have been asked to remove all promotional materials, as well as cancel preorders.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, the game's publisher, said in a statement that it's "extremely disappointed" that the title will not be available to "mature Australian gamers." Due to Australia's lack of an R18+ rating for games, all titles must fit the category of "MA 15+" or be refused classification, and thereby be banned from sale in the country.

We're currently following up with WBIE to find out if it's planning an appeal.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Australiaaustralian-classification-boardmicrosoftmortal-kombat-2011OFLCplaystationps3r18WBIExboxFri, 25 Feb 2011 10:50:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/15/south-australian-attorney-general-wants-to-remove-ma15-games-ra/#comments
Australia's Standing Committee of Attorneys-General are in the process of actively discussing the implementation of a (long overdue) R18+ rating for games in the territory, following the approval of said rating by the nation's federal cabinet earlier this month. However, South Australian AG John Rau recently introduced a thought-provoking idea to the committee: Should the R18+ rating be adopted, Rau believes that the MA15+ rating currently used by the Australian Classification Board should be removed altogether.

Rau, who replaced longtime anti-R18+ advocate Michael Atkinson earlier this year, explained to Gamespot, "My reason for wanting to get rid of MA15+ if an R18+ is passed is that it will provide a crisper delineation between adults-only games and games that are for children." He later added, "if MA15+ comes out of the mix altogether, I think parents will have a clearer idea what games are for children, and what games are for adults."

Should the MA15+ rating be repealed, the next-lowest rating used by the ACB would be M, which the board applies to games which "contain material that requires a mature perspective, but is still not enough to be deemed too strong for younger viewers." There's no age restriction applied to these games at Australian retailers, making it roughly equivalent to the Teen classification used by the ESRB. Rau's got a compelling argument, here -- but it won't make much of a difference if the Committee fails to approve the R18+ rating in the first place. C'mon, guys! We believe in you!

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliaaustralian-classification-boardbanningcensorshipjohn-rauma15politicsr18ratingsWed, 15 Dec 2010 03:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/11/australian-r18-rating-revision-still-undecided/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/11/australian-r18-rating-revision-still-undecided/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/11/australian-r18-rating-revision-still-undecided/#comments
Sure, the Australian federal cabinet approves of an R18+ rating for adult-themed video games, but official adoption of the new rating has been stalled at the latest Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting in Canberra. GameSpot AU reports that no decision will be made by Federal Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor "before he meets with his Cabinet."

O'Connor explained as much during a press conference, during which he noted the importance of an amended ratings system and that "gamers have grown, and we have to deal with the convergence of film and games." Unfortunately, despite the Minister's hopeful words, a cabinet vote during the meeting reflected that not all Attorneys-General supported the measure (no word on who voted for what). Additionally, O'Connor promises to broach the subject once more in early 2011 at the next SCAG meeting.

For now, the reevaluation of the Australian game rating system is still in the works -- when it will actually occur, however, remains a mystery.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorneys-generalaustraliaaustralian-classification-boardbrendan-oconnorgame-ratingsr18standing-committee-of-attorneys-generalSat, 11 Dec 2010 02:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/australian-federal-cabinet-approves-r18-games-rating-passing-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/australian-federal-cabinet-approves-r18-games-rating-passing-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/05/australian-federal-cabinet-approves-r18-games-rating-passing-a/#comments
Australian gamers who are also grown-ass adults are now one huge step closer to getting their hands on mature games currently deemed too perverse to be released in their homeland. Australia's federal cabinet recently approved the R18+ rating for video games which has eluded the country for many years, resulting in the outright banning of games like Aliens vs. Predator or the censoring of titles like Left 4 Dead 2.

Members of the cabinet explained to News.com.au that the new rating was actually created in response to the too-mature games that slipped under the MA15+ rating, exposing 15-year-olds to content that they really need three extra years under their belt to digest. Whatever the reason, we certainly hope the long-overdue measure will be approved by the nation's Attorneys General when the delegates meet later this week.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliagovernmentpoliticsr18ratingsSun, 05 Dec 2010 11:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/report-98-percent-of-australians-in-support-of-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/report-98-percent-of-australians-in-support-of-r18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/09/report-98-percent-of-australians-in-support-of-r18-rating/#comments
Australia's Federal Home Affairs group recently published a poll which may turn the heads on a few of the nation's governmental bodies. Out of the survey's 59,678 participants, 98.2 percent said they would support the oft-proposed addition of an R18+ rating for video games in the region.

Of course, more than half of the participants in said poll were turned on to it by an in-store promotion at select Australian EB Games. A somewhat more balanced selection of special interest groups were also allowed to respond to the survey, and only 53 percent showed support for the mature rating. By our amateur calculations, the actual percentage of Australian citizens who support the rating falls somewhere between the two. How about 86.3 percent? It's a totally made-up number, but ... it just seems right, doesn't it?

Though new South Australian Attorney General John Rau seems to be straddling the fence on the prospect of introducing an R18+ rating for mature games in the land down under, a large force of gamers are attempting to pull him over to their side. A petition started by electronics retailer GAME six weeks ago has garnered over 72,000 signatures in support of the new rating, which would ostensibly reduce the number of games that are censored or outright banned in the region. EB Games and special interest group Grow Up Australia have started a similar petition, gathering over 46,000 signatures for the cause.

GAME plans to bring its petition before the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General meeting on May 7, though it's not certain that the R18+ issue will be on the agenda. If it is, however, the petition will be difficult to ignore -- according to GamePolitics' calculations, it's well on its way to becoming the largest petition in the nation's history.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliabancensorshipeb-gamesgamegrow-up-australiajohn-raupetitionpoliticsr18Thu, 15 Apr 2010 12:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/new-australian-ag-backpedals-on-r-18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/new-australian-ag-backpedals-on-r-18-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/12/new-australian-ag-backpedals-on-r-18-rating/#comments
Remember those fuzzy, triumphant feelings we felt when new South Australian Attorney General John Rau supposedly voiced his unswerving support for adopting an R18+ rating for violent video games in the region? Yeah, those feelings have officially been depleted -- in a recent interview with GameSpot, Rau stated that he "can neither support nor wisely argue against a position if I am not aware of the relevant factors."

No, it's not like Rau's adopted the staunch anti-violent game stance of his predecessor, controversial AG Michael Atkinson. However, considering Gamers4Croydon president Chris Prior said Rau's stance on the issue was that it would be "just common sense to introduce" the mature rating to the territory, his actual, noncommittal stance is a little disappointing. We're not sure our delicate emotions can take much more of this back-and-forth.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustrailiabanjohn-raulawmaturemichael-atkinsonpoliticsr18Mon, 12 Apr 2010 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/replacement-australian-attorney-general-open-to-r18/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/replacement-australian-attorney-general-open-to-r18/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/27/replacement-australian-attorney-general-open-to-r18/#comments
It was a happy day for many gamers when Australian attorney general Michael Atkinson stepped down. As the biggest hurdle in pursuit of a R18+ rating in the country, he obviously wasn't very popular with gamers sick and tired of playing edited titles or, more importantly, not being able to play at all. His successor, John Rau, is apparently more hip to the cause.

Gamers4Croydon party president Chris Prior, who recently met with Rau, told news.com.au that Rau called the current lack of a R18+ rating "absurd." He further added that Rau said "it was really just common sense to introduce it, considering the vast majority of adult content is already available under the MA15+ classification." If that doesn't fill our brethren down under with the warm fuzzies, we don't know what will.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliaaustralian-attorney-generaljohn-raupoliticsr18Sat, 27 Mar 2010 04:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/21/australian-mature-game-detractor-michael-atkinson-stepping-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/21/australian-mature-game-detractor-michael-atkinson-stepping-down/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/21/australian-mature-game-detractor-michael-atkinson-stepping-down/#comments
South Austrailian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, the gentleman almost single-handedly responsible for preventing the nation from adopting an R18+ rating for games, is stepping down from the front bench. The controversial figure will remain on the Australian parliament until the 2014 elections, but is stepping down from his position to bring in some fresh blood from the Labor party. "I think there are talented people on the Labor backbench who deserve a go," Atkinson explained.

There's no telling whether the new A.G. will share Atkinson's position on the outright banning of mature games, but judging by the cornucopia of tips we received from overjoyed Aussies last night, there's plenty of room for hope.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attorney-generalaustraliamaturemichael-atkinsonpoliticsr18south-australiaSun, 21 Mar 2010 11:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/aussie-ratings-board-to-discuss-an-r-18-rating-at-april-meeting/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/aussie-ratings-board-to-discuss-an-r-18-rating-at-april-meeting/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/aussie-ratings-board-to-discuss-an-r-18-rating-at-april-meeting/#comments
A meeting in April might bring an end to the Australian video game bans that many gamers there believe to be overly repressive. Local Aussie website Adelaide Now says that the Australian National Classification Scheme could finally take a look at the ratings issue when it meets in April of this year. One widely-supported solution would be to establish an R 18+ classification for games over there -- currently, any games that don't match up to the MA 15+ rating are automatically banned, which leads to story after story of games that are rated for 18+ instead smashed with the banhammer down under.

The one spoiler is South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, who not only opposes the R 18+ rating, but hasn't gotten a very good impression of angry Australian gamers. He'll be at the meeting in April and will have veto power on any measures proposed, so unless he has a change of mind (or gamers who are organizing politically against Atkinson can oust him in an upcoming March election), the meeting in April could end in the same old disappointments for Australian gamers.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adelaide-nowattorney-generalaustraliaaustralian-national-classification-schemebanbannedgamepoliticsm15ma15michael-atkinsonr18ratingssouth-australiasouth-australian-attorney-general-michael-atkinsonThu, 04 Mar 2010 00:01:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/australias-atkinson-thinks-gamers-are-scarier-than-biker-gangs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/australias-atkinson-thinks-gamers-are-scarier-than-biker-gangs/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/15/australias-atkinson-thinks-gamers-are-scarier-than-biker-gangs/#comments
Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson, also known as "that one guy responsible for preventing an R18+ rating from being adopted in the country," recently had some (unsurprisingly) inflammatory things to say about gaming enthusiasts during an interview with Good Game. "About two o' clock in the morning I got a threatening note from a gamer shoved under my door," Atkinson claimed. "I feel that my family and I are more at risk from gamers than we are from the outlaw motorcycle gangs who also hate me ... the outlaw motorcycle gangs haven't been hanging around my doorstep at 2 a.m.. A gamer has."

Well, yeah. We wish we could argue with that logic, but we just can't. It's rock solid. Except -- wait. Maybe the outlaw motorcycle gangs don't have the time to wait by your door at 2 a.m. because they're too busy perpetrating violent crimes and distributing meth? No, no -- that's just crazy talk.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiabanbiker-gangcensorshipmichael-atkinsonmotorcycleoflcr18violenceMon, 15 Feb 2010 17:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/more-retailers-sign-on-in-support-of-r18-rating-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/more-retailers-sign-on-in-support-of-r18-rating-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/11/more-retailers-sign-on-in-support-of-r18-rating-in-australia/#comments
Most businesses enjoy exchanging goods and services for fungible assets, so it's not too shocking that Australian retailers are pulling for the nation to adopt an R18+ rating, which would cut down on the number of games the OFLC is forced to outright ban. Two retailers, GAME and Gametraders, recently spoke to GameSpot about their support of the new rating, and explained they'd be willing to adhere to surprisingly strict protocols in order to sell mature titles.

Both parties agreed to keep R18+ games in a special section of the store, which would be restricted to youngsters. Also, they stated they would package mature games in blank cases, so as not to offend the delicate sensibilities of nearby shoppers. That sounds a lot like that certain section of your local Blockbuster Video. You know, the one that only creeps go into? And occasionally, you see one of your old math teachers coming out of? And then you're forced into an awkward conversation with them while they desperately attempt to hide their naughty acquisition?

We've been following this story for quite some time now. Australia is currently debating a new R18+ rating, which would allow more mature games to be released in the country uncensored. The established maximum rating of MA 15+ has been a pain for both the gamers and those producing the games. Now there's a paper that citizens can weigh in on and retailer EB Games is the latest to support the new, more mature classification. Caught up? Good.

In addition to the roadblock of the Australian Attorney General, it would seem the R18+ rating now has another hurdle to overcome: The Australian Christian Lobby and its head, Jim Wallace. In an interview with GameSpot, Wallace equates violent video games to his time spent in the SAS, comparing soldiers' use of simulation exercises and routines as a way to break their "natural reluctance" to kill an enemy. By making these games more lifelike, he thinks the average citizen will be less hesitant to perform these violent acts outside the confines of their television screens and computer monitors, something he says isn't "in the individual's interest, and it's not in the community's interest."

Wallace also had some choice words for the ongoing public feedback phase of the proposed R18+ rating. He says "the only people who are going to be into this are the games people" -- y'know, the people affected by all of this.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australian-classification-boardcensorshipoflcr18Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/eb-games-endorses-r18-rating-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/eb-games-endorses-r18-rating-in-australia/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/03/eb-games-endorses-r18-rating-in-australia/#comments
Australia isn't just dangerous because of its abundance of deadly, poisonous wildlife, it's also not a great place to live if you're an adult gamer. See, the country's maximum rating for video games has long been MA 15+, meaning that a mature game must either be censored down to what the country deems is suitable for a 15 year old individual or outright banned from release in the country. This forces many gamers to navigate the seedy streets and back alleys of the importing scene. Nasty stuff, believe us.

But, there's hope. A new rating of R18+ has been a hot topic as of late. Recently, the government has been receptive to a change in the legislature, despite South Australian attorney general Michael Atkinson's vehement disapproval. The public is able to weigh in on the proposed change right now, but retailer EB Games has also decided to join the fight for more mature titles. And like anyone else trying to get something done on the internet, it's started a petition.

The "Grow Up Australia & EB Games" petition pretty much mirrors the same form found on the Aussie government's site here, so if you're a bloke or sheila who has already voiced your opinions on the government site, there's no need to fill out this new EB Games questionnaire. If not, get on it. The deadline is February 28.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiaaustralian-classification-boardeb-gamesebgamesmatureoflcozr18ratingsWed, 03 Feb 2010 23:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/australia-releases-r18-discussion-paper-requests-public-feedba/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/australia-releases-r18-discussion-paper-requests-public-feedba/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/14/australia-releases-r18-discussion-paper-requests-public-feedba/#comments
The Australian government has finally released the R18+ discussion paper and is requesting comment on whether the adult classification should be made available for video games. For those just joining us, Aussie video game classification caps at MA15+, meaning any game unsuitable for a 15-year-old can't be sold in the region.

Submissions stating why the government should allow an R18+ rating for games is due by February 28, 2010. The government spells out quite plainly that any change in the classification policy "must be unanimously agreed [upon] by Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers."

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiacensorshipmichael-atkinsonoflcr18Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/australian-attorney-general-refuses-to-support-18-game-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/australian-attorney-general-refuses-to-support-18-game-rating/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/30/australian-attorney-general-refuses-to-support-18-game-rating/#comments
Australia has a long, sordid history when it comes to banning the sale of mature games. Titles which exceed the limits of the Office of Film and Literature Classification's MA15+ rating are refused classification, preventing them from being sold in the Land Down Under. Following such a ban on Valve's Left 4 Dead 2, the introduction of an R18+ rating has been feverishly debated by the nation's officials -- however, a South Australian attorney general named Michael Atkinson is holding up the proceedings by vehemently opposing the adoption of the mature rating.

Atkinson told Australian news outlet News.com.au that he's uncomfortable with the interactive nature of the medium. "People are participating and 'acting-out' violence and criminal behaviour when they are playing a video game," he explained, later adding, "it certainly does restrict choice to a small degree, but that is the price of keeping this material from children and vulnerable adults. In my view, the small sacrifice is worth it."

Rarely can governmental actions be attributed to just one person, but the OFLC's refusal to rate mature titles is a direct result of Atkinson's opposition. Remember, this is the same guy who tried to censor a public document which canvassed Australians on the issue in an attempt to better advise the nation's ratings officials. He censored the study on censorship. Consider our mind truly boggled.